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Restaurant · Minneapolis, MN

Mercado Central

1515 Lake St E

Last inspected Jun 8, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

Routine

Jun 8, 2026

Complete

Official score: 96 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

majorCode MN Rule 4626.1720AFood temperature

Official wording

Submit a Food Plan Review application to Minneapolis Development Review before: • Remodeling a food or beverage area • Plumbing work • Mechanical ventilation work • Adding ventless cooking equipment • Changing the type of food business Find more information on the Minneapolis Food Plan Review web page.

Inspector’s notes

Submit plan review application before the installation of an addintional 3-compartment sink.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1580ABFacility maintenance

Official wording

Remove all items unnecessary to the operation of the business from the premises.

Inspector’s notes

Observed a large number of unnecessary items stored in the basement storage rooms and hallways. These items obstruct access and create challenges for effective cleaning and pest monitoring. Remove all equipment or items that are no longer essential.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
majorCode MN Rule 4626.0680BEquipment and utensils

Official wording

Provide sink compartments in the 3 compartment sink large enough to accommodate immersion of the largest equipment and utensils.

Inspector’s notes

Observed a pattern of non-compliance among food stands with 2-compartment sinks being used for dishwashing instead of the designated 3-compartment sinks. Based on discussions with several Person in Charge (PICs), the current number of 3-compartment sinks is insufficint for the volume of dishwashing activity.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0780COther

Official wording

Discontinue the use of a food preparation sink for anything other than food preparation.

Inspector’s notes

Observed a consistent pattern of non-compliance across food businesses. Food stands are using their 2-compartment sinks for dishwashing instead of the designated 3-compartment sinks.

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, Jun 8, 2026 · Original Source

Routine

May 12, 2025

Complete

Official score: 96 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

minorCode MN Rule 4626.1520ACleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Clean all physical facilities (floors, walls, ceilings). Keep them clean.

Inspector’s notes

1. Observed mopsink room to be dirty with dirt. 2. Observed black mold in caulking of 3-compartment sinks. Clean and maintain to prevent the accumulation of dirt and mold.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1540Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Hang mops to dry after using. Store mops in a way that will not make walls, equipment or supplies dirty.

Inspector’s notes

Observed wet mops being stored in mop buckets with dirty water. All wet mops must be properly dried to prevent bacterial growth. Install mop hangers.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
majorCode MN Rule 4626.0680AWater, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Have a three-compartment sink with drainboards attached at each end. The three-compartment sink is for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing equipment and utensils by hand.

Inspector’s notes

During recent restaurant inspections, it was observed that establishments are using their 2-compartment sink to clean and store dirty dishes. There is a high volume of dishware requiring cleaning, exceeding the current capacity of the two shared 3-compartment sinks. A conversation was had with all the vendors regarding the importance of using the 3-compartment sink to properly wash, rinse and sanitize all equipment. There is a need for the installation of an additional 3-compartment sink.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
majorCode MN Rule 4626.1720AFood temperature

Official wording

Submit a Food Plan Review application to Minneapolis Development Review before: • Remodeling a food or beverage area • Plumbing work • Mechanical ventilation work • Adding ventless cooking equipment • Changing the type of food business Find more information on the Minneapolis Food Plan Review web page.

Inspector’s notes

A plan review must be submitted for the installation of a three-compartment sink.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, May 12, 2025 · Original Source

Routine

May 2, 2024

Complete

Official score: 100 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

minorCode MN Rule 4626.1515Facility maintenance

Official wording

Keep the physical facilities in good repair.

Inspector’s notes

Observed cracked tiles in sections of vendors food preparation areas. Replace damaged floors.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1040BWater, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Keep the plumbing system in good repair.

Inspector’s notes

Observed leaking faucet in prep sink for the Best Tacos Del Sol vendor. Have prep sink serviced.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1520ACleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Clean all physical facilities (floors, walls, ceilings). Keep them clean.

Inspector’s notes

Observed mopsink room dirty with dirt build up. Clean and maintain clean.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1540Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Hang mops to dry after using. Store mops in a way that will not make walls, equipment or supplies dirty.

Inspector’s notes

Observed wet mops being stored in mop buckets in mopsink room. Provide mop wall hangers.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0735ABEquipment and utensils

Official wording

All equipment and components must be in good repair. Keep them maintained to manufacturer's specifications.

Inspector’s notes

Observe multiple prep tables rusted and no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Replace.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, May 2, 2024 · Original Source

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